As many may know, John Hnat is a solid Cavs analyst and NBA fan who wrote for years here. Life and other responsibilities got in the way so he stepped back drastically from his TCF duties but he does occasionally write under his own blog. Linking an article he just penned because it's very good and very insightful and lays out his thoughts on where the team is headed. And even if you don't agree with it the man can state his thoughts and positions very well.

Somebody on another board pointed out that the Lakers will have nobody under contract by 2014, so they could sign LeBron and let him pick his own team of free agents to join him. I don't know if the salary cap is enough to allow that to be done, where you get one max player (LeBron), and then add 6-7 hand-picked free agents who are above-average players or who are former great players on the downside of their careers (like Ray Allen this year) who just want to play for a World Champion before they hang it up and will work cheap.

Interesting idea, though. It's kind of like when Wade, LeBron and Bosh got together to figure out how they could all play for the same team.

When it comes to Bron there is one important question not being asked, what does Nike want?Do they want: a)the Prodigal Son returns home to make good , and possibly repair a tattered image orb)Fuck image, lets play nationally televised games right across the street from ESPN West, and make it easier for us to hawk shitty movies by giving floor seats to some coked up movie star, and their dirt bag agent.

(b) will win this battle every time, regardless of what option has the better odds to win rings.

"I don't think they're building chemical weapons in Berea. But they might be. I can't say for sure."Chuck Klosterman

Good article, but I noticed that the entire plan is contingent on Kyrie signing an extension here. Does anyone really think he'll do that? Am I just being bitter and self-pitying when I expect him to leave, or is there a reason to think he will be different?

peeker643 wrote:As many may know, John Hnat is a solid Cavs analyst and NBA fan who wrote for years here. Life and other responsibilities got in the way so he stepped back drastically from his TCF duties but he does occasionally write under his own blog. Linking an article he just penned because it's very good and very insightful and lays out his thoughts on where the team is headed. And even if you don't agree with it the man can state his thoughts and positions very well.

I have some acquaintances at Squire Sanders Dempsey downtown and one of their husbands has insisted on hearing that a deal to bring LeBron back has been all but done for close to a year. I have no clue to his ties to anyone of significance, outside of his connections as SSD. He also recently claimed it is one of the worst kept secrets in the NBA.

Much stranger things have happened I suppose, just not to Cleveland basketball.

Criminals in this town used to believe in things...honor, respect."I heard your dog is sick, so bought you this shovel"

Hnat's blog entry that Peek linked is a must-read post for any Cavs fan. Especially all those sports-talk dopes who are saying Byron Scott and Chris Grant should be on the hotseat. Yes, I'm looking directly at you, "Adam the Bull" from 92.3. That guy is such a toolbox.

The only conceivable way the Cavs could be playing this season any better is if they had gotten rid of Varejao before he became "EXTREMELY damaged goods". Before he was just "damaged goods". And as somebody said before in another thread it was a damned if you, damned if you don't type of thing based on how awesome he was playing.

By and large, Cavs games HAVE been watchable this year. They typically play competitively for about 40 mins per game and have an 8-minute spell where they look like an NCAA D-III team. Just as Hnat says this is the way the Cavs should want it to make sure they keep losing. We don't want to be like the Hawks and finish with a .550 winning pct each year and have no realistic chance at an NBA title, then drafting 20th year-in and year-out. Play competitively but keep losing. Draft high again and hopefully these guys all put it together at the same time and land a big free agent or two. And the Cavs' cap situation (I'm no expert but from what I understand) is looking great.

But I agree that 40-50 wins next year is asking a lot. Unless of course Grant can pull off a few more deals like the one just completed with Memphis.

"And three of the better guys in franchise history, Daugherty, Z and now Kyrie could get hurt in a rubber room full of cotton balls." - Leadpipe

Love Hnat's writing, and I wrote to tell him and Buff that I was sorry to see them stop writing full time here at TCF when they did.

Expecting a potential FA to sign here in 2014 (ie, Lebald) defies the pretense we've already established; no premium FA (especially the preeminent one) to sign here in Cleveland is a myth.

This team doesn't get substantially better UNTIL it gets the big man it needs in the rotation. TT is showing that he may develop into a league average big, and Zeller could potentially become a rotation guy, but until you get a front court presence that can consistently punish the opposing team and defend the paint, Cavs will continue to lose more than they win.

Unfortunately, you have a 2 year window with Kyrie to get that big into place; like the fact that at least the Cavs are putting another draft bullet in the gun. (they just have to hit on one)

Check me out at Dawgsbynature, where I write stuff, or @twitter as Josh Finney.

idoctribefan wrote:Play competitively but keep losing. Draft high again and hopefully these guys all put it together at the same time and land a big free agent or two. And the Cavs' cap situation (I'm no expert but from what I understand) is looking great.

But I agree that 40-50 wins next year is asking a lot. Unless of course Grant can pull off a few more deals like the one just completed with Memphis.

I am currently in that limbo between wanting the Cavs to win and wanting them to have the highest draft choice possible. I'm leaning toward the former. Winning can only be learned by winning. You don't go from 18 victories one year to 60 the next.

Cavs are currently like that big slab of raw hamburger on the kitchen counter. Throw on some "seasoning," add a slice of cheese and some onions to complete the vision, throw it on the grill, and prepare for a feast.

40 wins next year is NOT asking a lot; 50 might be more like it. Many of the mistakes this season are from youngsters not really knowing how to play the game, especially on defense. The talent is there, it just hasn't had time to develop. SIXTY wins next season might be asking a lot, but certainly not 40.

idoctribefan wrote:Play competitively but keep losing. Draft high again and hopefully these guys all put it together at the same time and land a big free agent or two. And the Cavs' cap situation (I'm no expert but from what I understand) is looking great.

But I agree that 40-50 wins next year is asking a lot. Unless of course Grant can pull off a few more deals like the one just completed with Memphis.

I am currently in that limbo between wanting the Cavs to win and wanting them to have the highest draft choice possible. I'm leaning toward the former. Winning can only be learned by winning. You don't go from 18 victories one year to 60 the next.

Cavs are currently like that big slab of raw hamburger on the kitchen counter. Throw on some "seasoning," add a slice of cheese and some onions to complete the vision, throw it on the grill, and prepare for a feast.

40 wins next year is NOT asking a lot; 50 might be more like it. Many of the mistakes this season are from youngsters not really knowing how to play the game, especially on defense. The talent is there, it just hasn't had time to develop. SIXTY wins next season might be asking a lot, but certainly not 40.

Well, Kyrie is out tonight with some sort of knee issue.

And it's about the time of year when I start wondering if that's going to be a 'problem' that keeps him on the sidelines for most of the remaining season.

Another feel good win against a team that has routinely decimated us only puts that last piece of the young core in peril.

Thank you for the compliment, I could speak to the "glue" that is Luke Walton and his late game steal that aided in the victory, but does anyone really care. The OP is sufficient analysis of this Cavaliers season.

"When a man with money meets a man with experience, the man with experience leaves with money and the man with money leaves with experience."

Bron's coming back. It will redeem and cement his legend status in a positive light. More positive, in fgact, than had he left. The purgatory got us Kyrie and a cast of capable role plyers we never would have had with him here. 3 championships with Miami and 4 here will get him over MJ.

peeker643 wrote:As many may know, John Hnat is a solid Cavs analyst and NBA fan who wrote for years here. Life and other responsibilities got in the way so he stepped back drastically from his TCF duties but he does occasionally write under his own blog. Linking an article he just penned because it's very good and very insightful and lays out his thoughts on where the team is headed. And even if you don't agree with it the man can state his thoughts and positions very well.

I have some acquaintances at Squire Sanders Dempsey downtown and one of their husbands has insisted on hearing that a deal to bring LeBron back has been all but done for close to a year. I have no clue to his ties to anyone of significance, outside of his connections as SSD. He also recently claimed it is one of the worst kept secrets in the NBA.

Much stranger things have happened I suppose, just not to Cleveland basketball.

My cousin's sister in law said she saw it and it was written in Comic sans script.